Ohio State needs true offensive tackle prospects for the post-2022 future, and at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, Miles Walker certainly fits that description.
The Buckeyes signed the nation’s No. 34 OT and the fourth-rated recruit in Connecticut Wednesday as Walker put pen to paper to bolster Ohio State’s 2023 haul. Walker committed to offensive line coach Justin Frye and the Buckeye program back on July 8, and nearly six months later, he’s made it official.
Steady as they come and trained to go, all the kid from Greenwich, CT knows is work. He cant wait to clear paths and keep QB1 upright. Hes ready leave an unforgettable legacy in the scarlet and grey. Welcome to The Brotherhood Miles Walker#CHO23N | @mileswalker76 pic.twitter.com/fXXZbJkkpZ
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 21, 2022
Walker initially committed before Frye had coached a single game, but his track record at previous stops and reputation as a proven talent developer helped the Brunswick School product out of Greenwich, Connecticut, make his choice on a college destination.
The Walker File
- Class: 2023
- Size: 6-6/285
- Pos: OT
- School: Brunswick High School (Greenwich, Connecticut)
- Composite Rating: ★★★
- Composite Rank: #486 (#34 OT)
“It was just a feeling he got leaving campus. When he left he said he felt a little bit different leaving,” Walker’s high school coach, Wayne McGillicuddy, told Eleven Warriors after his commitment. “I think a huge factor is the history of coach (Justin) Frye and how he develops offense linemen. I think that was definitely interesting to him. I think those were the two reasons he made that decision.”
The lone three-star prospect in Ohio State’s 2023 class, Walker isn’t quite as heralded as fellow tackle and top-60 recruit Luke Montgomery. But given the impression his work ethic has made on coaches, few would be shocked if Walker outperformed his recruiting status.
Walker transformed his body throughout his high school career, trimming off 45 pounds of extra weight ahead of his junior season, but then added back 50 more the right way to improve his strength and physicality. It paid off, as offers came flooding in for Walker this past spring.
“It’s unbelievable. I’m so proud of him. There’s a lot of kids out there who work hard and do everything right, and Miles has definitely done that,” McGillicuddy said. “I’m very happy his hard work has paid off. Miles is one of the hardest-working kids I’ve ever been around. He’s someone who understands how to fuel his body right at 17-18 years old, bulk up and put muscle on the right way. It’s not often you hear a 17-18 year old go into detail about what he’s going to eat, how much he can eat and the research he’s done, he’s put in all the hard work. I’m just glad it all paid off.”
As far as the skill set Walker brings to the table, his coach says mobility, fundamentals and a propensity to learn from mistakes are all among Walker’s strong suits on the gridiron.
“On the field, he’s extremely athletic, he has really good hips and he can bend. He gets off the ball quickly and has heavy hands so when he punches people, you can hear it across the field,” McGillicuddy said. “Like I said, the athleticism is through the roof. He’ll rarely make the same mistake twice, he hates it when he makes the same mistake twice. The will to want to be good and do everything the right way is what’s going to help set him up to be very successful.”
Ohio State expects to lose both of its starting tackles following the 2022 season, and while it may take time for Walker to climb up the depth chart, there figure to opportunities ahead for the Connecticut native nonetheless.
